Samsung Galaxy Note Review
The basics
Offering full connectivity, the Samsung Galaxy Note is technically a smartphone. At 5.3 inches, however, it’s closer in size to a tablet for most people, so what’s it actually like to use? Join us after the cut to find out.
The good
Whatever you think about the form factor and size of the screen, there’s no doubting the fact it’s a beauty. At 5.3 inches, it feels huge compared to other smartphones, and the 1280 x 800 pixel resolution puts most netbooks to shame.
Images really are razor sharp, and the Super AMOLED technology results in glorious colour reproduction. If you want a device for browsing media on, there’s no better smartphone on the market.
The Galaxy Note is also surprisingly thin, measuring under 10mm in depth, helping it to feel less bulky than we first imagined.
The 1.4GHz dual-core processor results in stunning performance, further aided by 1GB of RAM. Whatever apps we were running, the Galaxy Note always offered an abundance of power.
The choice of either 16GB or 32GB of storage, along with the ability to add more via microSD card, makes the Galaxy Note more than capable as a media player.
The bad
There’s only one real downside to the Samsung Galaxy Note – and that’s the feature that makes it unique: the screen.
It’s simply too large for many people, proving considerably larger than the majority of smartphones.
The bottom line
Despite that, we love the Samsung Galaxy Note. The fact it’s ultra slim means there’s no effort in slipping it into a pocket, and once you get used to the extra size, you’ll not want to go back. Especially if you browse the web lots or enjoy watching movies on the move.
User comments (39)
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safa16 February 2012
hiiiiiiiiiiiiii
Report as inappropriateStephen16 February 2012
Love the look of this phone. I just got a Samsung Galaxy S2, wish I'd waited for this!!
Report as inappropriateAnonymous16 February 2012
I love this phone and i am so happy with it
Report as inappropriatesteve16 February 2012
Having used my Note for three months now I cannot imagine going back to a "regular" sized phone. Watching TV,videos surfing the web etc etc is had to imagine being anywhere near comfortable on a smaller phone. And on top of all this I have been introduced to the wonderful world of Android and been put off Apple phones for eternity :) Thanks GS for confirming my reasons for buying this phone . Now what about the Galaxy Note 10 ?
Report as inappropriateshez20 February 2012
This phone is absolutely brilliant! Yes its bigger, but you soon get used to that. I have my laptop, TV, camera, video, kindle, MP3, GPS, games, alarm clock, etc etc all rolled into this amazing telephone. Would highly recommend!
Report as inappropriateGeoff15 March 2012
Quite simply the best phone there is. Animated wallpapers do run the battery out pretty quick, but this thing really does the lot, and whats more it does it better than most of your specialist gadgets too! The screen width is the same the length of my mates iphone - put simply bigger is definitely better!!!
Report as inappropriateAnonymous21 March 2012
well i like galaxy the choclate and my friend his name is liam samson
Report as inappropriateTheRealRizzoRat02 April 2012
I wanted an upgrade from a HTC Desire HD so this is about the only thing i could find. It's fast, it's white, it's big and runs like a dream! It won't fit in your jeans pocket without breaking it on sitting down but i love it. A clear score of 10 out of 10.
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bel03 April 2012
Hi ! Planning to buy note. Does the skype work on this phone efficiently ? Pls reply anyone . Thank u.. I'll be waiting
Report as inappropriatebel03 April 2012
And how about the battery life?
Report as inappropriatejohn anderson14 April 2012
just got one & its mega awesome folks! a normal size phone seems SO small now - get one now
Report as inappropriatePhoneWithGadget15 April 2012
I think it very interesting phone. <a href="http://phonewithgadget.blogspot.com" >
Report as inappropriatebobby24 April 2012
i have galaxy note from samsung and compare to other phones this is it: compact for mail, browsing watching movies, listening music and both with high quality 5.3 sound, i personally use this more as little tablet and less as mobile, ( just this size is not good when goo out clubbing ) with all app's is here really fun on and to question to 'skype' yes, it work really good included video calls same with yahoo messenger. when you like compact then you here with "samsung galaxy note" good in business...
Report as inappropriateDT26 April 2012
Hi, Thinking of giving up my Iphone and getting a Galaxy Note. Can anyone tell me if I'll be able to transfer PowerPoints from my Mac to the Galaxy Note? and would the def still be ok. My Powerpoints are huge (over 300MB each) and include lots of detailed pics. Thanks!
Report as inappropriategavinevans30 April 2012
the samsung galaxys s3 how good it will too get or will I have too get the NOTE PHONE
Report as inappropriateBOBBY S08 May 2012
I swapped from iPhone to Galaxy Note, would never return to apple again! The open functionality of android is a breath of fresh air. I put an SD card in it upgraded instantly extra 32gb for less than £30! How much would Apple ask for another 32gb? Also I can use it for data storage, due to standard USB connection, play most types of movies such as DIVX. And also download torrents directly the Note! I rarely find myself reaching for the laptop anymore, and it does everything the iPhone could but better( flash enabled?). Only thing I miss is having an ITunes application on the phone.
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Angie Cooper21 May 2012
I have just ordered a Galaxymmoicess Note and cant wait to use it after reading all the brill comments xx
Report as inappropriateJon24 May 2012
I've had my galaxy note now for just over a month after switching from an iPhone 3GS and would definiately not look back. I didnt want a separate pad/phone set and find the note fits in with my busy life allowing me to edit spreadsheets, write documents, use diagrams through the s-pen (already used this to help with explaining a design a number of times), and maintain contacts with friends, family and colleagues. Sure it's a bit big and you can get the mick taken out of you initially when you use it as a phone, but this is just the best all-rounder I've seen and used. ICS has been released so should be rolling out imminently which I believe will make this phablet hard to beat especially with Samsung's S-Pen enhancements.
Report as inappropriateDee100028 May 2012
Had this phone for about a month and love it. Upgraded my iPhone and was a bit dubious about size at first but now used to it. Love the clear screen and use it mainly for emails and web. Also liking Android. All in all a brilliant phone!
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NOT HAPPY27 July 2012
My Samsung Galaxy is rubbish it will dissconnet when I am talking unless I am on speaker it switches off completely if the battery is not fully topped up.
Report as inappropriatePiers butler12 August 2012
This phone is amazing ive never tounched my laptop since owning thi and once you get used to the size nothin else will do
Report as inappropriatemagpie6212 August 2012
My contract runs out in February 2013 and i said the first time i saw it advertised on telly,thats my next phone and i have not strayed yet,so hurry up February cant wait....
Report as inappropriateMoeG9113 August 2012
This is a very good phone; I mainly use it for internet and texting with the odd game... The battery will last on average the day of full use, so as long as you plug it in at night you wont run out of power.
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Paul Fowler15 October 2012
I love it! The screen size makes it great for viewing video, browsing and playing games. I do have to charge it up at the end of each day though.
Report as inappropriateWBCS-Neo17 November 2012
I was on contract, previous phone was a Windows based HTC HD Mini, although it wasn't a bad little phone (mainly bought for business syncing with MS Outlook), it doesn't compare to my new Samsung Galaxy Note (yeah baby!), fell in love with this phone when I first seen it advertised, chatted it up in a phone shop, and married it when I got my hands on my very own....the "phablet" has arrived...long live the phablet!
Report as inappropriatecobweb106626 November 2012
I have had the note and its a great phone. I found the screen easy after a while and now I wont ever go back.....thank god for the note2 I now use that and its even better. Faster and looks nicer I think. The bezel round the old one was easy to snap and is now held on with lots of glue. The new one has a solid bezel that wraps round the side. Much less prone to snapage.
Report as inappropriateavnish01 December 2012
hi i was watching the new gadget show episode 4 and they said that the best price for the note is £269.99. where can i buy the phone for that price. its a higher price on the currys website.
Report as inappropriateJoy01 December 2012
I would also like to know where to buy the Samsung at the listed price on your show please x
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ian ball04 January 2013
hi i got my galaxy note couple of days ago really love the size can does everything i want movies look great love the way how the spen works with the screen and i like this more than my other phone which is a galaxy s3 ps really love the show
Report as inappropriateJamie Lindley04 January 2013
Had this phone for 4 months and think its the business. Upgraded from Iphone 4 and never regretted it. Yep, IOS is more reliable but with the right apps this phone is great. Despite the size, once you get used to it the size becomes unapparent. Responsive, great quality video playback. Just waiting for Jellybean update.
Report as inappropriateNick Rooney06 January 2013
I had an HTC Wildfire (Android 2.21) and was going to upgrade to a Galaxy SIII, but saw the Note II had come out. Thank goodness I waited. The Note is a joy, even making calls is not the trauma the reviews would have it. Android 4.21 is a clear evolutionary step up. I've still got a lot to learn, but that will be all pleasure
Report as inappropriateAkin essaji12 January 2013
Hello I will also like to know where I will be able to buy ths phone for that price because it is a very good phone and all my friends that have the galaxy note recomend that I get the phone but I find price over £400 too much as I am just a student
Report as inappropriateFaheem Wyne05 March 2013
I've had my Galaxy note for about a year now and nothing else will do. Yes the size does feel awkward at first but the "pluses" make up for it. I use mine mainly for watching clips (youtube, webcasts etc), reading (so easy on the big screen), messaging, keeping notes (clue is in the name) and so on. It's more of a tablet and organiser for me rather than as a phone. Maybe it should be called a phablet! On the rare occasions I do use it as a phone it has performed flawlessly (viber, skype including video messaging and as an ordinary mobile). In fact the only downside is the lack of decent non-magnetic clip cases for it!
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